Vol. 52, No. 21, May 26, 1961. 4 pages. View this issue
Mike Masaoka opened this four-page issue with a front-page column on the mob attacks on Freedom Riders in Alabama. He called them a national disgrace that harmed the country’s standing abroad, and he urged President Kennedy to press Congress for strong civil rights legislation. Also on the front page, army friends of the late Col. Walter Tsukamoto planned a plaque dedication for May 28, and the Rohwer relocation center cemetery in Arkansas was proposed as a national shrine.
Elsewhere, Larry Tajiri wrote about a UCLA grant to study delinquency among younger Nisei and about a neighbor who got trees planted on her block. Tamotsu Murayama recalled early Issei poets in Oakland, and Charles T. Nagao argued that JACL is a truly national organization. Also here are track previews for the Nisei Relays, chapter news, and the 1000 Club’s list of Life Members.
What’s in this issue
Commentary
- Shame of Our Nation, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. The author condemns the violent mob attacks on Freedom Riders in Alabama as a national disgrace that undermines American standing abroad. He urges President Kennedy to press Congress for strong civil rights legislation despite the risks to his broader program.
- Reapportionment Howls, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial examines California’s congressional reapportionment, which adds eight seats and is expected to favor Democrats. It also traces the history of gerrymandering from Elbridge Gerry onward.
- Ethnic Ties and Global Awareness, by Taro Kawakami, page 2. The letter writer argues that Nisei should understand world affairs and be recognized as Americans regardless of ancestry. The author calls for judging people by merit rather than race, religion or origin.
- Tree-Planting, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. A New York resident named Maggie persuaded landlords to plant twenty trees on her block through persistent, charming poster campaigns. The column praises the community effort as a rare example of quiet civic success.
Community
- Sanger Nisei Relays Pep Band Leader Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Sandy Sakahima was named winner of the chapter’s Relays contest and recognized at a Fresno-area dinner. The event honored graduates of the area.
- Sanger Sansei Selected for Coro Foundation Internship in Public Affairs, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Peggy Sakahima, a San Francisco State senior from Sanger, won a Coro Foundation internship for 1961-62. The nine-month program will expose her to government, business, labor and political campaigns.
- Arkansas Valley JACL Contributes $100 to Colorado Boys Ranch, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Arkansas Valley JACL donated $100 to the Colorado Boys Ranch to support efforts against juvenile delinquency. The chapter also reported growing membership.
- Chicago JACL Surprise Birthday Dinner, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Chicago JACL executive board members held a surprise birthday dinner for a chapter officer at a meeting in April. Other chapter news from the week is briefly noted.
- Nisei Chaplain at Western Michigan Univ. to Lead Study-Work Project in West Africa, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rev. Minoru Mochizuki will lead 11 American students to Sierra Leone this summer for a Crossroads-Africa road-building project. The group will leave June 25 and return August 20.
- Nisei Girl Top Graduate of USC Pharmacy School, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Margie Yasuko Furumoto graduated first in her class at USC’s School of Pharmacy and received a full scholarship. She plans to enter hospital pharmacy.
- Family Picnic and Chapter Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Several JACL chapters announced upcoming picnics, dances and scholarship benefit events. These include the San Francisco scholarship fund movie nights and the Sacramento Lions Club officer slate.
- 1000 Club Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The 1000 Club listed its 65 Life Members for 1960 by district and chapter. Life membership dues were credited to chapters following a January adjustment.
Military & Veterans
- To Dedicate Plaque in Memory of Tsukamoto, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Army friends of the late Col. Walter Tsukamoto contributed a bronze plaque for the San Francisco Presidio chapel. The dedication is set for May 28, and Tsukamoto was a former National JACL president.
Incarceration & Redress
- Rohwer WRA Cemetery May Become National Shrine, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Rohwer relocation center cemetery in Arkansas, where Japanese Americans are buried beneath a Nisei war memorial, may become a national shrine maintained by the National Park Service. Legionnaires and Dr. Joseph Hunter have pushed the project forward.
JACL
- Congressman Judd to Be Main Speaker at EDC-MDC Confab, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Rep. Walter Judd will keynote the joint Eastern and Midwest District Council convention in Minneapolis in September. Judd is noted for his Far East expertise and his tribute to JACL’s 25th anniversary.
- JACL Truly National, by Charles T. Nagao, page 4. The author argues that JACL is a truly national organization serving Japanese Americans across the country. He recounts being told by a Philadelphia official that the group was not relevant outside the West.
Arts & Entertainment
- Issei Story Lead, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 3. Murayama recounts early Japanese American literary and cultural activity, including the poets who gathered at Miller Heights in Oakland. He urges the JACL history project to record these forgotten contributions before they are lost.
- Nisei Psychologist Granted $62,000 to Study Rise of Japanese American Delinquency, by Larry Tajiri, page 3. UCLA researcher Dr. Kitano received a grant to study juvenile delinquency among younger Nisei. He suggests the trouble may stem from the Americanization process and third-generation responses to stress.
- The Last Time I Saw Archie, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The United Artists film starring Robert Mitchum and featuring James Shigeta is reviewed as a story based on wartime experiences. Its release was held back by MGM while the picture was reassessed.
Sports
- Nisei Relays Track Records and Preview, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Entries for the San Francisco JACL Olympics track meet at Kezar Stadium on June 4 are expected to set records. The article lists track records across the Open, Junior and Midget divisions.
Obituaries
- Pacific Citizen Bridge to the Sun Film Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The film Bridge to the Sun, based on Gwen Terasaki’s memoir, is discussed in terms of its cast and production. Its release was delayed while MGM reviewed it.
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